Food Steamer Device

ABSTRACT

A food steaming device comprises a base, a heating device for converting water into steam in the base, the water supply device and the steam container are sequentially arranged on the base, the steam outlet-A for injecting steam into the steam container is arranged on the heating device, and the food steaming device also comprises a fan device which causes the steam in the steam container to flow uniformly and rapidly. The fan device comprises a fan and a driving mechanism for powering the fan, and the fan is arranged in the steam container. The control PCB and the power supply PCB for controlling the heating temperature of the food are arranged in the base; the probe wire is connected to the power supply PCB; the food temperature probe is arranged on the output end of the probe wire; and the food temperature probe is located outside the steam container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of China patent application no. 201710574520.7 filed Jul. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to the technical field of electric steam cooker, in particular to a food steaming device which can steamed food evenly.

2. Background

Electric food steaming device have been in the market for over 30 years. However, most electric food steaming devices use an electric kettle type method to boil water from an ambient temperature to boiling point, thus generating steam. The disadvantage of this method is that, depending on the amount of water in the container, steam generation can take a few minutes. Also, the amount of steam generated by this method is low and cannot be effectively control.

Furthermore, these food steaming devices usually have a steaming chamber with a capacity of 9 liters or more, within which the steam does not circulate effectively. As a consequence there are temperature variations inside the steaming chamber, which can result in uneven cooking.

Another operating disadvantage of conventional electric steaming device is the cooking time. Normally the user will need to set the cooking time by considering the weight of the meat or vegetable that is being cooked. For example, when steaming a whole chicken weighing 1 kg, the user may estimate a steaming time of 50 minutes, after which the chicken may be overcooked or undercooked. This need to estimate the cooking time is inconvenient as it means that the user needs to check the state of the food being cooked periodically during the steaming process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention describes an advanced electric food steaming device in accordance with claim 1, with various further preferred features being set out in the dependent claims.

Unlike conventional electric food steaming devices, this invention uses a pump and thermoblock system to provide a large volume of steam. The level of steam (i.e. steam power) can be controlled by altering the pumping rate and/or the power to the thermoblock.

The motor driven fan inside the steam container circulates the steam evenly inside the steam container thereby ensuring an even temperature distribution within the steam container of the food steaming device.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment a temperature probe is also provided. During steam cooking, the temperature probe can be inserted into the food (e.g. meat) being cooked to provide temperature feedback to the steam power control system. This allows precision steam cooking because it enables the user to select and set the final temperature of the meat being steamed. For example, a user wishing to cook a chicken can set the meat temperature to 80° C. and then insert the temperature probe into the chicken thigh. During steam cooking, the chicken meat temperature will gradually increase, and when the meat temperature reaches 80° C., a control PCB will stop the steaming and stop the cooking.

By embodying the high power steam generation system, the motor driven fan, and the temperature probe, this invention provides an advanced electric food steaming device that allows fast and precise steam cooking.

The design makes for quick and even food heating, thus the original nutrition of the food can be maintained and safety performance is high. The overall structure of this food steaming device is simple, practical, and easy to use.

These and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a food steaming device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main component of the food steaming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the main component of the food steaming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a food steaming device, comprising a base 1, a heating device 2, preferably in the form of a thermoblock, located within the base for converting water into steam. A water supply device 3 and a steam container 4 are arranged on the base. A first steam outlet 5 for injecting steam into the steam container is provided on the heating device 2.

The food steaming device also comprises a fan device 6 which moves the steam and causes circulate within the steam container such that it flows uniformly and rapidly. The fan device comprises a fan 61 and a driving mechanism for powering the fan, which is located in the steam container. The driving mechanism of the fan device 6 includes a motor 62 disposed in the base and a drive shaft 63 for transmitting power. The drive shaft is connected with the fan, and the drive shaft is located on the shaft center line of the fan.

The shape of the fan includes, but is not limited to, rectangular, rectangular or trapezoidal; the shape of the fan is conducive to the rapid and uniform flow of hot steam in the steam container.

By setting the fan device the user can make the hot steam inside the steam container flow evenly and rapidly, which helps evenly distribute the steam thereby preventing temperature variations inside the steam container.

In the preferred embodiment shown the base 1 comprises a base cover 101 and a base body 102 for housing the water supply device 3. The base body being joined to the base cover so as to form a base cavity 103, within which the heating device 2 can be received.

The water supply device 3 comprises a pump 31, a water tank 32 and a drip tray 33. The drip tray is located between the base body 102 and the steam container 4. Preferably the drip tray may be detachably connected to the base body or the steam container.

As can be seen in the preferred embodiment shown, the water tank and the team container are arranged side by side. That is, the water tank is arranged on one side of the steam container. The water tank 32 and the steam container 4 are both located on the base. Preferably the water tank is detachably connected to the base so that it can be readily removed for refilling under a water tap.

One end of the pump is connected with the water tank, and the other end of the pump is connected with the heating device. The first steam outlet 5 is located on the base 1, and a second steam outlet 7 is arranged on the drip tray. The first and second steam outlets are configured to couple together when the water supply device 3 is arranged on the base 1.

A control PCB 8 and a power supply PCB 9 for controlling the heating temperature of the food are arranged in the base. A probe wire 10 is connected to the power supply PCB and a food temperature probe 11 is arranged on the output end of the probe wire. The food temperature probe is located outside the steam container 4.

In use the food temperature probe 11, which comprises a probe 111 and a probe handle 112, is inserted into the food. The probe wire 10 is passed through the probe handle 112 and connects to the probe 111. Preferably the probe is formed from stainless steel and the probe handle is formed from a high temperature resistant material such as silicone.

By virtue of the control PCB, power supply PCB and the food temperature probe the user can preset the end temperature of food. The real-time measurement of the temperature of the food within the steam container during cooking provides precise steam cooking, which reduces the risk of over-cooking or under-cooking.

The steam container 4 comprises a steam container body 41, which preferably has a volume of 6 liters, and a container lid 42. When mounted on the steam container body the container lid seals the steam container so that the escape of steam from the container is controlled.

In this regard, the container lid is provided with a first steam vent 43. Preferably the first steam vent is configured to enable the probe to pass through into the steam container so that it can be inserted into the food being cooked.

The bottom of the steam container body is provided with a second steam vent 44 which facilitates the flow of steam. The fan is located in the steam container body, the second steam outlet 44, which located in the drip tray, is positioned lower than the steam container body bottom.

The steam container and the water tank are made of see-through material; this allows the user to easily check on the food and the water level in the tank.

In operation the food steaming device of the preferred embodiment of the invention firstly supplies water through a water tank, under the action of the heating device. The water will be heated to hot steam, preferably using a thermoblock as the heating device. The hot steam passed through the first steam outlet and is injected into the steam container through the second steam outlet, which is coupled to the first steam outlet.

The probe can be inserted into the food to be cooked or inserted into the cooking food during the heating process according to the needs of the user. After the food is heated to the preset temperature, the food steaming device can automatically stop working.

Although the description of the present invention is carried out in combination with the specific embodiment, it is obvious to those familiar with the technical field that the concept layout can be changed and modified while achieving the same effect. Therefore, all such alternatives, improvements and changes are within the scope of the claimed invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 base     -   101 base cover     -   102 base body     -   103 base cavity     -   2 heating device     -   3 water supply device     -   31 pump     -   32 water tank     -   33 drip tray     -   4 steam container     -   41 steam container body     -   42 container lid     -   43 steam vent-A     -   44 steam vent-B     -   5 steam outlet-A     -   6 fan device     -   61 fan     -   62 motor     -   63 drive shaft     -   7 steam outlet-B     -   8 control PCB     -   9 power supply PCB     -   10 probe wire     -   11 temperature probe     -   111 probe     -   112 probe handle 

What is claimed is:
 1. A food steaming device, comprising: abase (1); a heating device (2), located within the base, for converting water into steam; a water supply device (3) and a steam container (4) arranged on the base; a first steam outlet (5) provided on the heating device to inject steam into the steam container (4); and a fan device (6) that comprises a fan (61) and a driving mechanism for powering the fan, said fan being arranged in the steam container (4) to cause the steam in the steam container to flow uniformly and rapidly.
 2. The food steaming device of claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a motor (62) disposed in the base (1) and a drive shaft (63), and wherein the central axis of the fan is mounted on the drive shaft so as to transmit power to the fan.
 3. The food steaming device of claim 2, wherein the shape of the fan is rectangular or trapezoidal.
 4. The food steaming device of claim 1, further comprising a control PCB (8) and a power supply PCB (9) arranged in the base to control the heating temperature of the food within the steam container; and a food temperature probe (11), connected to the power supply PCB via a probe wire (10), and configured to measure the temperature of the food within the steam container.
 5. The food steaming device of claim 2, further comprising a control PCB (8) and a power supply PCB (9) arranged in the base to control the heating temperature of the food within the steam container; and a food temperature probe (11), connected to the power supply PCB via a probe wire (10), and configured to measure the temperature of the food within the steam container.
 6. The food steaming device of claim 3, further comprising a control PCB (8) and a power supply PCB (9) arranged in the base to control the heating temperature of the food within the steam container; and a food temperature probe (11), connected to the power supply PCB via a probe wire (10), and configured to measure the temperature of the food within the steam container.
 7. The food steaming device of claim 4, wherein, in use, the food temperature probe (11), which comprises a probe (111) and a probe handle (112), is inserted into the food located in the steam container; and wherein the probe wire (10) passes through the probe handle and connects to the probe (11).
 8. The food steaming device of claim 5, wherein, in use, the food temperature probe (11), which comprises a probe (111) and a probe handle (112), is inserted into the food located in the steam container; and wherein the probe wire (10) passes through the probe handle and connects to the probe (11).
 9. The food steaming device of claim 6, wherein, in use, the food temperature probe (11), which comprises a probe (111) and a probe handle (112), is inserted into the food located in the steam container; and wherein the probe wire (10) passes through the probe handle and connects to the probe (11).
 10. The food steaming device of claim 7, wherein the probe (111) is formed from stainless steel and the probe handle (112) is formed from high temperature resistant silicone material.
 11. The food steaming device of claim 8, wherein the probe (111) is formed from stainless steel and the probe handle (112) is formed from high temperature resistant silicone material.
 12. The food steaming device of claim 9, wherein the probe (111) is formed from stainless steel and the probe handle (112) is formed from high temperature resistant silicone material.
 13. The food steaming device of claim 1, wherein the base (1) comprises a base cover (101) and a base body (102) for housing the water supply device; wherein the base body (102) combines with the base cover (101) to define a base cavity (103), within which the heating device is received.
 14. The food steaming device of claim 2, wherein the base (1) comprises a base cover (101) and a base body (102) for housing the water supply device; wherein the base body (102) combines with the base cover (101) to define a base cavity (103), within which the heating device is received.
 15. The food steaming device of claim 13, wherein the water supply device (3) comprises a pump (31), a water tank (32) and a drip tray (33); wherein the drip tray, which is located between the base body (102) and the steam container (4), is detachably connected to the base body and/or the steam container; and wherein one end of the pump (31) is connected with the water tank (32), and the other end of the pump is connected with the heating device (2).
 16. The food steaming device of claim 14, wherein the water supply device (3) comprises a pump (31), a water tank (32) and a drip tray (33); wherein the drip tray, which is located between the base body (102) and the steam container (4), is detachably connected to the base body and/or the steam container; and wherein one end of the pump (31) is connected with the water tank (32), and the other end of the pump is connected with the heating device (2).
 17. The food steaming device of claim 15, wherein the first steam outlet (5) is located on the base and a second steam outlet (7), which is coupled to first steam outlet, is provided on the drip tray.
 18. The food steaming device of claim 15, wherein the water tank and the steam container are arranged side by side on the base.
 19. The food steaming device of claim 15, wherein the water tank and the base are detachably connected.
 20. The food steaming device of claim 15, wherein the steam container (4) comprises a steam container body (41) and a container lid (42) received on the steam container body; wherein the container lid is provided with a first steam vent (43) configured to enable the probe to pass through; and wherein the bottom of the steam container is provided with a second steam vent (44) that facilitates the flow of steam. 